title: Evidence for extended maintenance of the corpus luteum by uterine infusion of a recombinant trophoblast alpha-interferon (trophoblastin) in sheep.
abstract: Ovine trophoblastin (oTP) is a natural interferon of the class-II interferon-alpha subfamily. Recombinant ovine trophoblastin (r.oTP), produced by genetic engineering, was purified by anion-exchange HPLC. The product exhibited a high degree of homogeneity (greater than 98%), and similar immunological cross reaction and antiviral activity to natural oTP. Antiluteolytic activity of r.oTP was established by intrauterine injection in two groups of cyclic recipient ewes. Control group A included 10 ewes which received sterile BSA in saline twice daily for 8 days (from day 10-12 of oestrous cycle). Experimental group B included 17 ewes which received 80 micrograms (4 ewes), 170 micrograms (8 ewes) or 340 micrograms (5 ewes) r.oTP daily for 8 days. Maintenance of functional corpora lutea for 1 month or more was observed in 4 out of 5 ewes which received high doses of r.oTP. These results indicate that oTP alone extends luteal secretory activity.
authors.affiliation: I.N.R.A. Unité Endocrinologie de l'Embryon, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martal
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Degryse
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Charpigny
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Assal
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reinaud
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charlier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaye
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lecocq
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003340:Corpus Luteum Maintenance / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D007267:Injections; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C020947:interferon tau; D011374:Progesterone